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Xeriscaping—Groundcovers Alternative to a Traditional Bluegrass Lawn Homeownersoften Homeowners often surround their surround their houses houses with carpets with carpetsofof bluegrass. Bluegrass bluegrass. Bluegrass is not notonly onlybeautiful beautiful it it is unsurpassed unsurpassedfor for handling foot handling foot traffic traffic of of children and children andpets. pets. However, ininColorado’s However, Colorado’s high, dry high, dryclimate, climate, bluegrass requires bluegrass requires at at least 24 least 24inches inchesofof water ininaddition water addition toto the 13 the 13inches inchesofofrain rain Colorado usually Colorado usually receives during receives duringthe the growing season! growing season!InIn areas that areas thatwill will receive receive less traffic, less traffic, consider consider some groundcover groundcover alternatives alternatives thatthat will be will attractive be attractive and hardy hardyand anduse useless less water water than than bluegrass. bluegrass. Steps to Establishing and Caring for Ground Covers Step 1 — Prepare the soil Proper soil preparation is essential for establishing groundcovers. Till 3 to 5 cubic yards of organic material such as aged manure or compost into every 1000 square feet to be planted. This will increase the water retention capabilities of the soil and will provide additional nutrients for plants. Then, rake level and firm the surface of the soil. Step 2 — Plant Groundcovers will establish more quickly if the soil is slightly moist when planted. Plant the individual groundcover plants (from 2 inch pots) 12 inches apart; or if faster cover is desired, plant 8 inches apart. One flat of groundcovers in 2 inch pots covers approximately 40 to 50 square feet . Step 3 —Mulch Mulch groundcovers with one inch of fine pea gravel (often sold as 3/8 minus pea gravel). A fine organic mulch can also be used, but small-leafed, low-growing plants such as creeping veronica and creeping thyme will spread more quickly in gravel mulch. Step 4 — Maintain After planting, check the plants frequently for wilt, and water as needed. The groundcovers listed on the back thrive on dry conditions after establishment, which usually takes about 6 weeks. Plants are established when they no longer pop out of the ground by gently tugging their leaves. Keep the area well weeded during the establishment period. After the groundcover plants knit together, they will effectively choke out most weeds. (Occasional weeding will still be necessary.) Water regularly during warm weather after establishment. Usually, once every 7 to 10 days is sufficient, but this may vary depending on soil and weather conditions. Remember to water at least once a month during the winter, especially if there has been little precipitation. 0603-2000 Natural Gas • Electricity • Water • Wastewater • Your Community-Owned Utility Choosing Groundcover Plants Many water-conscious homeowners who do not need bluegrass are using low-growing, xeric groundcovers as an alternative to bluegrass lawns. Although these groundcovers do not tolerate foot traffic as well as bluegrass, many will recover satisfactorily from light foot traffic. In areas receiving heavy foot traffic, steppingstones placed through the groundcovers provide an attractive solution. Choose groundcovers that will thrive in the conditions of the site where they will be growing. Consider exposure (sun and shade), plant height/width as well as color, bloom period, and general appearance. Also consider planting individual types in groups of threes, fives and sevens to create sweeps of color, which is visually more pleasing than randomly planting one here and there. Finally, consider using taller, less foottraffic tolerant groundcover along the edges of patios and paths. Short (Under 3 Inches) Groundcovers for Light Foot Traffic Areas Groundcover Comments Adapts to sun or shade but needs more water in sun. Mat of silvery green leaves under 1⁄2 inch high. Flowers in early spring. Slightly taller, fuzzy flowers look like cat’s paw. Needs Sun. Beautiful variegated foliage about 2 inches high. Lemon scent when stepped on. Pink flowers in summer. One inch high sun lover. Very tiny leaves pour themselves between and over rocks. Another sun loving low-grower with pink flowers in late spring. Leaves dark green. Low growing sun lover with red flowers in mid-summer. Taller than most thyme, 3". Very fast-growing. cascading gray-green thyme that flowers heavily in late spring. If trimmed after the first bloom, a second bloom may occur in late summer. Very hardy in full sun, which may be a good characteristic for tough sites. May be as tough as wooly thyme. Twiggy appearance in winter. Bright green folliage with white flowers in early summer. The toughest thyme of them all. Less than one inch high, and exceedingly drought tolerant. Adapts to sun or part sun. Fuzzy gray-green leaves turn purple in winter. Lavender flowers are infrequent. Two inches high, mounding hybrid of Wooly and Turkish Veronica. Profuse blue flowers in early spring on dark, evergreen foliage. Grows in sun or part shade. Less than two inches high. Small, shiny dark green leaves completely covered with tiny blue flowers. Very early and long blooming. Gray-green foliage on two inch high plant with light blue flowers in spring followed by repeat (although much sparser) bloom in summer. Taller (Over 3 Inches) Xeric Groundcovers that Will NOT Tolerate Foot Traffic 448-4800 0603-2000 w w w. c s u . o r g Natural Gas • Electricity • Water • Wastewater • Your Community-Owned Utility